Hunterdon County Commissioners Host Shared Services Forum For Municipalities

“Multipart Series Designed To Foster Collaboration in Government” 

Following the success of the first Municipalities Shared Services Forum in January, the Hunterdon County Commissioner Board facilitated a second forum on Saturday, April 5th, 2025. The event was co-hosted by Commissioner Director John E. Lanza and Deputy Director Shaun C. Van Doren and was centered on reinforcing the Board’s commitment to foster collaboration and partnerships among local municipalities. The event brought together mayors, governing body members, and municipal officials, to discuss and explore innovative strategies and share best practices for streamlining services and reducing costs across the county. 

Director Lanza shared, “The ongoing Shared Services Forums are aimed at increasing knowledge of county government resources available to local leaders and promoting greater cooperation between municipal and county government.” 

This forum featured presentations from the following Constitutional Officers, County Departments, and Department Heads; County Clerk, Mary Melfi, Sheriff Fred Brown, Dan Bush, Director for the Department of Public Works, and Bill Millette from the Department of Planning and Land Use. Each presenter offered insightful information about their respective departments while highlighting opportunities for shared service initiatives. 

Deputy Director Van Doren stated, “Through collaboration and shared services, we are not just being fiscally smart – by pooling resources together we are also investing in the future of our communities. This forum exemplifies how teamwork between municipalities can lead to innovative solutions that benefit everyone.” 

The forum included a panel discussion, allowing participants to engage with presenters and the commissioners on pressing issues. The County Commissioners plan to continue these Shared Services Forums with new presenters, ensuring open dialogue and continuous improvement in shared services initiatives. The next scheduled forum is set for Saturday, May 3rd. 

Director Lanza said in closing, “Shared services encourage streamlined processes and innovative solutions, as municipalities learn from each other’s best practices. Additionally, through this ongoing dialogue and exchange of ideas we can better plan for future resource needs that are carried out with greater efficiency and at lower cost to all our taxpayers.”